Even without the corona-infected head coach Thomas Tuchel, Champions League winners Chelsea qualified for the final of the Club World Cup. Striker Romelu Lukaku became the match winner against Al-Hilal.
English Champions League winners Chelsea FC reached the final of the Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday without coach Thomas Tuchel. The Londoners prevailed in the semi-finals 1-0 (1-0) against the Saudi club Al-Hilal, winners of the Asian Champions League. Romelu Lukaku (32nd minute) fired his team into the final in Abu Dhabi, where the “Blues” meet Copa Libertadores winners Palmeiras Sao Paulo on Saturday.
Chelsea hope for Tuchel’s return to the final
As in the arduous FA Cup win against Middlesbrough (2-1) on Saturday, Chelsea also struggled against outsiders Al-Hilal. The “Blues”, with the German internationals Kai Havertz and Antonio Rüdiger in the starting XI, controlled the game for long stretches, but were not dangerous and only rarely created good chances. Lukaku’s goal after half an hour was preceded by a mistake by his opponent Yasser al-Shahrani. In the second half, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa recorded the result with strong saves.
Coach Tuchel had tested positive for the corona virus at the weekend and was therefore unable to fly to the UAE with the team. However, the “Blues” are still hoping that the coach can travel to Abu Dhabi before the final of the Club World Cup on Saturday. In the semifinals, the 48-year-old was represented on the sidelines by his assistant Zsolt Löw.
Chelsea were in the final of the Club World Cup back in 2012, but lost 1-0 to then-Copa Libertadores winners Corinthians Sao Paulo, arch-rivals of current final opponents Palmeiras.